Envelop.



PATENTED 00122. 1907. H. HEPPNBR.

ENVELOP.

APPLICATION FILED r23. 28. 1907.

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HARRY HEFFNER, OF WARREN, OHIO.

ENVELOP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1907'.

Application filed February 28, 1907- Serial No. 359.752-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY HEFFNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Warren, in the county of Trumbull and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Envelops, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to envelops and its principal object is to provide an envelop so constructed as to prevent the same from being opened or tampered with without detection.

A further object of the invention is to provide an envelop in which the top flap thereof is provided with a tongue that is adapted to stick on a gummed portion of the bottom flap, thus forming an auxiliary means for holding the top flap sealed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an envelop having the usual end or side flaps and a top flap having a tongue that is adapted to enter a slot in v the bottom flap with a seal for covering the outside of In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates one of the embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a plan view of the envelop with the flaps thereof open. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the envelop sealed. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line 33, Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the body of the envelop; 2, the usual end flaps; 3 and 4, the bottom and top flaps respectively. One of the .end flaps is provided with a gummed surface 5, whereby the two flaps can be stuck together. The top flap 4 is formed with a central tongue 6 that is adapted to enter a slot 7 in the bottom flap 3. This slot extends parallel with the crease 8 between the body and flap 3 and is located adjacent the point of the flap. On the inner surface of the flap 3 at a point between the slot 7 and crease 8 is a rectangular gummed surface 9 to which the tongue 6 is adapted to stick after the latter has been inserted through the slot 7. The flap 3 has the usual gummed portions 10 for gluing the sameto the side flaps 2. The flaps are so proportioned that the slot 7 will not be closed when the flap 3 is sealed on the flaps 2. Where the base of the tongue 6 is connected with the flap 4 are a plurality of perforations 11, whereby the tongue is weakened and is liable to tear in case of the sealed envelop being tampered with. Over the apex of the flap 4 and covering the outside of the tongue is a gummed body 12 forming a seal. This seal has segmental portions 13 which are moistened and stuck to the back of the envelop.

As put up for the market, the envelop has its side and bottom flaps sealed together and the top flap is left open, as usual. In sealing the envelop, the letter or mail matter is inserted and the segmental portions 13 of the seal 12 are moistened and then the tongue 6 is inserted in the slot 7, as far as it will go. If desired, the outer surface of this tongue may be moistened so that it will adhere to the gummed surface 9. After the tongue is fully inserted, the gummed segmental members 13 are pressed tightly against the back of the envelop.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that an envelop of the character referred to is comparatively inexpensive and simple to construct and is amply protected against being opened by unauthorized persons without some evidence whereby detection is possible. By means of the main seal 12 and the auxiliary seal constituted by the tongue and the gummed portion 9, the envelop is positively proof against being steamed or soaked open.

I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with. the apparatus which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative and that such changes may be made when desired, as are within the scope of the claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:-

1. An envelop comprising a body having end flaps, a

bottom flap provided with a slot and having a gummed portion intermediate the slot and body and gummed along its edges for adhering to the side flaps, a top flap having a" central tongue arranged to enter the slot of the bottom flap and adhere to the gummed portion thereof, there bein; perforations between the tongue and top flap to render the tongue readily tearable, and a seal on the outside of the top flap to cover the perforations between the latter and tongue and having its edges free and extending beyond the top flap to adhere to the side and bottom flaps.

2. An envelop comprising a body having end flaps, a

-' bottom flap gummed along its edges and having a central gummed portion and provided with a slot between the gummed edges and said portion, a top flap, a tongue attached thereto and arranged to enter the slot of-the bot tom flap and adhere to the gummed portion thereof, and a seal secured to the outside of the top flap and having portions adapted to adhere to the outside of the end and bottom flaps.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY HEFFNER.

Witnesses SAAIUEL II. BYERS, E. 0. Dinner. 

